Bialetti Mukka Express 2-Cup Cow-Print Stovetop Cappuccino Maker, Black and White

I got my mukka about two months ago, and though the price was pretty steep, it was definitely well worth it. I use it everyday and get darn good cappuccino without using a bulky, intricate machine. The frother works very well, though it is not the 'cleanest' froth you would get by frothing the milk by itself, since the milk is steamed/frothed essentially by the espresso pushed through the valve at high pressure.

Only downside to this is you must keep your eye on it. It will boil over in a heartbeat, so have your cup ready and listen for the sound of the valve popping. Do not use unattened. Ever. Even so, I still LOVE this cappuccino maker!

I got my mukka about two months ago, and though the price was pretty steep, it was definitely well worth it. I use it everyday and get darn good cappuccino without using a bulky, intricate machine. The frother works very well, though it is not the 'cleanest' froth you would get by frothing the milk by itself, since the milk is steamed/frothed essentially by the espresso pushed through the valve at high pressure.

Only downside to this is you must keep your eye on it. It will boil over in a heartbeat, so have your cup ready and listen for the sound of the valve popping. Do not use unattened. Ever. Even so, I still LOVE this cappuccino maker!

EDIT #2: Talked to a sales guy at Williams Sonoma and he said that every single person who purchased this has brought the unit back because they said it did not work!

*EDIT EDIT EDIT*
I used the unit for two-three weeks. It made wonderful flawless cappuccino. I served it to my family and they loved it.

Suddenly, the unit has broken! The water (and coffee, might I add) flow over the side of the unit from the bottom part no matter how tight I turn it.

Please do not buy this unit. I made about 15 good cups of coffee. I paid a little over $3 per cup and now I am going to throw the unit away. Not to mention the coffee I wasted after it went bust on me trying to make it work.

I want my money back, but I doubt I will get it back.

Original review:

I have been searching for an electric cappuccino maker for some time. The problem was that they were either cheap and all seemed to have poor reviews or they were super expensive and I couldn't justify dishing out the dough.

So I thought I would go with this stovetop version. All I can say is YUM! I no longer have to pay $3.75 every morning for my double cappuccino. In less than a month, I've made back my investment!

Downside: You have to screw on the top part really tight or it will leak. This is normal for this type of coffee/espresso maker, but it's still a pain for someone like me who isn't strong enough to unscrew it again. Also, the instructions are good for someone who has had this type of espresso maker before, but it would be nice if it explained exactly how long you wait when it starts to make the gurgly noise before you turn the stove off.

Upside: Very delicious and smooth coffee with a nice froth. The coffee tastes great and it doesn't come out too hot. It is super duper fast also. You will have your coffee in about three-five minutes, depending on the setting.

It is true that you need to watch it so it doesn't "overcook", but that's true for any of these stovetop coffee makers.

In summary, I love it!!!

EDIT #2: Talked to a sales guy at Williams Sonoma and he said that every single person who purchased this has brought the unit back because they said it did not work!

*EDIT EDIT EDIT*
I used the unit for two-three weeks. It made wonderful flawless cappuccino. I served it to my family and they loved it.

Suddenly, the unit has broken! The water (and coffee, might I add) flow over the side of the unit from the bottom part no matter how tight I turn it.

Please do not buy this unit. I made about 15 good cups of coffee. I paid a little over $3 per cup and now I am going to throw the unit away. Not to mention the coffee I wasted after it went bust on me trying to make it work.

I want my money back, but I doubt I will get it back.

Original review:

I have been searching for an electric cappuccino maker for some time. The problem was that they were either cheap and all seemed to have poor reviews or they were super expensive and I couldn't justify dishing out the dough.

So I thought I would go with this stovetop version. All I can say is YUM! I no longer have to pay $3.75 every morning for my double cappuccino. In less than a month, I've made back my investment!

Downside: You have to screw on the top part really tight or it will leak. This is normal for this type of coffee/espresso maker, but it's still a pain for someone like me who isn't strong enough to unscrew it again. Also, the instructions are good for someone who has had this type of espresso maker before, but it would be nice if it explained exactly how long you wait when it starts to make the gurgly noise before you turn the stove off.

Upside: Very delicious and smooth coffee with a nice froth. The coffee tastes great and it doesn't come out too hot. It is super duper fast also. You will have your coffee in about three-five minutes, depending on the setting.

It is true that you need to watch it so it doesn't "overcook", but that's true for any of these stovetop coffee makers.

In summary, I love it!!!

This thing is GREAT. 14 ozs of liquid heaven. Simple to use and it makes a very tasty drink. I've found cleanup best done as soon as possible as dried milk takes on a hardened quality that makes cleaning later much more time consuming.

I was really excited to get this new product and I tried it right way. The first time I used it, I put the flame on too high and not only did I get milk everywhere (which I should have known from heating up milk and cream when making bechemel sauce or yogurt, milk goes EVERYWHERE when overheated) but water leaked as well.

I can't tell how many times I've used it since (sometimes twice or three pots a day) and I haven't had a problem with it at all. My guests love it as well. If the flame is medium, it doesn't leak. As soon as I hear the milk or cream frothing, I take it off the stove and put it on the sink (just in case, but it hasn't overflowed over since that first time I used it).

It's superfast, and it's supereasy to clean. This little product is saving me lots of money because I no longer desire to buy Cappuccino from Starbucks.

My only complaint about this product is that it has a two-cup capacity. That would be a two-espresso-cup capacity. So if you buy this product don't think it will make 16oz. And keep the flame low-medium. And take it off the heat when the milk starts frothing :)


we got this cappuccino maker and were INSANELY excited to use it! trial and error? WAY more error than trial. the other morning, the gauge on the frother FLEW off and a geyser of milky coffee shot onto our ceiling. it was a DISASTER!

we will be returning the maker and are very disappointed as our coffee treats would have been the best part of our mornings.

After a few trial and errors to see what setting worked best for my stove top I have had great success with this item. I did also have one attempt where cofee went all over the stove but I had my stove turned up too high. It cleans easily and with rinsing it under coldwater I am able to make another pot quickly. It is great to not have to stand there and froth the milk and allows me to easily make cappuccino in the morning before heading to work.

I have used a lot of different stove top espresso makers over the years, and I was very excited to see one that actually claimed to make a frothy cappuccino. I went out and bought it the next day! However, I was dismayed to find that all the coffee leaked out of the seal between the top and lower units. I thought I must have done something wrong, so I went back and read the directions and made sure that I screwed the top and bottom together tightly and that there were no coffee grounds impeding the gasket seal (that last step is a pain in and of itself). I have officially made 8 pots of coffee and I have been partially successful only two times but made a total mess of my stove top every single time. Now that I have gone through over $10 in coffee, I have concluded that this thing is a total bust as far as I am concerned. That is disappointing as I *really* wanted it to work.

I got the Mukka Bialetti cappuccino maker as a gift.

Pros: It makes EXCELLENT cappuccino. Note: whole milk does not 'froth' as well as low fat. The taste and quality of the cappuccino is like what you would get in a coffee bar via a professional machine. I assume the quality of the coffee used is a factor, and I'm using good quality bean.

Cons: It makes a small amount of cappuccino. Enough for two demitasse small cups, or for one large mug. Also, there are four non-dishwasher-safe parts that have to be cleaned after each use: the lower (water) carafe, the coffee basket, the upper (milk) carafe, and the pressure valve. It's best to clean it right after serving before anything dries to the interior.

Even with the drawbacks of small portions and clean-up duties, I would recommend this maker for the great cappuccino it makes via such a small device.

I was very excited about purchasing this cappuccino maker. It worked great for about a month. After that, the pressure valve stopped working. I could no longer make a latte, and the milk would not froth for the cappuccino. Very disappointed, I went to return it and was talked into exchangeing it. The second one I had stopped working even sooner. This time the seal between the top and bottom stopped working. I tried it again and again, and it would work about half the time. Needless to say I returned it and got my money back. When it works, it makes a great cup of coffee. Unfortunately it does not work for long. Do not waste your money until they work the kinks out. I also tried to contact Bialetti directly and my e-mails were never answered.

I got a Mukka Express coffee maker some months ago, and enjoyed it tremendously. It makes one large cup of fantastic cappuccino, with beautifully frothy milk. I bought this due to limited space on my kitchen counter for gadgets, and the fact that I primarily make coffee for just myself (versus needing a pot for 2 or more). I also thought it looked cool and stylishly Italian. While I found it to be temperamental right away (i.e., if there's more water or coffee grounds than specified, the seal between the top and the bottom won't be tight), I got to the point where I had it 'just right'. So it was true love, and I made truly fabulous coffee with this for a few months. However, suddenly and without warning, it broke. As another reviewer said, the water began leaking out of the bottom part of the unit, regardless of how much I tightened it. I guess the seal just broke. I reluctantly have to say that this is a novelty item and not a durable appliance. I'm back to making coffee with my brown plastic Melitta filter.

I have bought this product in Italy this past February and I have used it continuously - never have I had any problems with it! Never has it spilled over and it does work well with both cow's milk and soy milk! I have read reviews from those who gave this product such harsh criticism. For those of you who wrote that it didn't work properly - that's because you don't know how to use it. All my life, I have been making espresso on the stove - I wouldn't dare waste my money on a shot of espresso at Starbucks!
Thus, using the Bialetti Cappuccino maker was easy. It is durable and for the guy who wrote that it rusts, he obviously never used a stove top espresso maker before because all of them form residue if they are not cleaned and dried properly after each use!
Buy it! It's worth it! If you have never used a stove top espresso maker, just READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! Come on now, I doubt that only Italians should know how to use this!

as a great coffe fan who was using a regulat makineta, this is a real treasure.

it makes delicious coffee in 5 minutes, and the froth is excellent. indeed it is as close as it gets to the coffeeshop capuccino.

easy to clean, and as easy as 1,2,3 to operate.
price is a bit steep but worth it.

Highly recomended. i am addicted to the mukka !



I was so excited to buy this product and now that I've had it for two months, I can't imagine what all the fuss over it is. It has the possibility to make decent coffee but it's a very finicky machine. If you don't screw it together just write, the coffee boils out of the middle section and into your stove. It can look like it is put together properly and won't be. If anybody out there drinks soy, rice or other kinds of milk, remember that they burn at different tempatures than cows milk. You can't pour out these milks early before they burn because they would be cold and without froth. There is no flexibility with the machine in that regard. Sometimes the steam will let out too early, the coffee will flood the milk in the upper section too soon, making the whole drink cold and weak. This coffee maker is surprizing slow and not good for people who rush in the morning either. I'm sorry I bought it...I guess seeing every website out there offers spare parts for the machine should have been my first hint.

I got this as a wedding gift and after a lot of work I finally got it to make a good cup of cappuccino. However, after the second week of owning it I noticed that the bottom container (that holds the water) had rusted. I returned it to Crate & Barrel and am back to buying my cappuccinos.

If they could take care of the rust issue this would really be worth the money.

I have owned this cappuccino maker for several months now.
It makes a fantastic cappuccino! I can honestly say that I like the taste & texture just as much as any coffee shop cappuccino when using good quality espresso beans.
The first couple of times I used it, it leaked a little between the lower and upper unit.
I have not had that problem since, and I make sure I screw the top on tight.

Cleaning the unit takes a couple of minutes in the sink.

I agree that the amount is just right for one person with a larger cup or mug.

Great product and I would recommend it to others!

I read all of the bad reviews of this product and was amazed with how negative they are. I followed the instructions to the letter from the first pot and it has worked perfectly for me every time.

I agree that it is a hassle to rinse immediately afterwards to make more than 2 cups, but the only time I have to do that is when I have guests and it's worth it to amaze them with the quality of the taste! I was given this as a gift and would consider buying for others who love coffee as much as I do. I absoulutely love that I can tuck this away in any kitchen cabinet or leave on the stove between uses as opposed to even the smallest of espresso machines that take up counter space. I hate clutter and this was the only solution for me out in the marketplace. I have said good-bye to Starbucks.

If you use it right, the Mukka makes perfect Cappuccino every time! It is very easy to use. It takes a few tries to get it down, as the instructions are less than stellar. Here are some tips to help:

- use cold water
- fill the milk above the line marked if you want a good amount of froth, just submerging the nozzle - don't overfill!
- use semi-skimmed or 2% milk, not whole milk
- wait for the gurgling sounds to stop before you remove from the heat

Good luck!

I don't have the Cow Print version, but this cappuccino maker is the best. I got it because I have a very small kitchen and don't have the space for a countertop version and I haven't been disappointed. It makes great cappuccino and I have had no problems with it. I didn't get it online, got it at WS so if it should break as another reviewers did, I can just take it back and get another. This is the one thing in my kitchen that I won't do without.

Purchased my Mukka 4 months and we use it nearly everyday. It took a little getting use to but after a little practice we've got our cappuccinos nailed. We have had a few catastrophes but they have all been due to user error. One problem we've had with te unit is the valve staying up for a "milky coffee." We've been able to rig it with a dinner knife but I phoned Bialetti and they say I probably have a defective valve. They're sending a new one. Overall we are very pleased with our little cappucino maker.

Sell your Starbucks stock because this product is amazing! In just 4 quick minutes a delicious frothy cuppucino is ready - and it tastes better than Starbucks!! Forget the bad reviews, if you have half a brain this maker is no problem. Just add water to the line on bottom, scoop in a few teaspoons of espresso, screw on the top, add milk to the line, put it on the stove, wait for the button to pop and your done!

I just bought this adorable little thing a week ago, I can not get enough of low fat organic eggnog lattes and this machine has been pretty good if not occasionally great, so far. I agree with some of the reviewers, if you don't screw the top on just right, the water leaks out of the crack and twice I have had to cool the Mukka in running water before I could unscrew it , then rescrew it... that part is frustrating. BUT the other times I decided to slow down, carefully follow the instructions, make sure no coffee was in the threads before screwing to gether and that has worked.
The instructions seem to be correct in that the more you use the machine the better the cappuccinos get. By the 3rd time, the milk was lusciously frothed. And also true, leaving the machine on the heat for one minute after done makes the cappucino HOT.
I love the look of it, the curvy shiny metallic, the little man graphic, the un clutter ( compared to a tabletop machine) . I would give 5 stars but I still want to use it a while and try other milks ( soy, almond, and hazelnut milk- which by the way is heavenly!- and see how it goes. )
It is easy to clean and cools down immediately in cold water.
I am very happy with it!
OH and I do not see how you can get 2 cappuccino out of it, the finished cappuccino fills perfectly my average sized coffee cup. Maybe there are tiny cappuccino cups I should be using? It would be a slight pain to make for more than one person the way I am doing it now... but I will figure that out when I have another person who wants one :)

Update 1/31/06- I would give this 5 stars now, it makes wonderful Starbucks'-worthy treats! Get it, it is really great, especially for the $, and if it is only for 1-2 people.

Here in Atlanta, we love our latte, and this did the job great. We had a different version that did not steam the milk, and loved it, just we were having to microwave the milk. We moved to warming the milk on the stove, and even dusted off the old Krups for steaming the milk, but all did not work as well as this all in one package. Highly recommend!!! But size does matter, especially when there are two of you. Make a perfect large cappucino for one.

"Cappuccino is an Italian beverage, prepared with espresso and milk. A cappuccino is generally defined as 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 frothed milk."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappuccino
This is not what you get with the Mukka Express; you get 100% milky coffee after which you scoop out brown frothed milk. Taste is ok; presentation is consistently poor.
Now for the bad news, this is a very tricky device to use and requires very special attention in assembling each time you use it. We found that attaching the top to the base, which requires screwing the units together, has a 70-30 chance of success; and with the failures steam and coffee will penetrate the rubber seal and flow unto your stove, resulting in a failed effort and necessary clean up of your stove.
Conclusion: Unit returned.

I read all the reviews at least twice maybe more. Then decided to give the Mukka Express a try. I mean heck lets face it, it isn't cheap (for me). I figured if it doesn't work I can always return it. Well I went to the store (Didn't buy it online) and purchased one. The lady at the coutner said "just follow the instrucitons and everything should be fine" I thought to myself "Darn she must get a lot of these back!" I said "Ya I read the reviews and I think I can do it" She said "reviews???" I Said "Ya online you know?" She then looked at me puzzled "Then why are you getting one?" she said. I said "I think I can do it" I guess she was just trying to be friendly and didn't know anything about the bad reviews and such! I almost changed my mind at that point!

Never the less I was determinded to get this thing to work! I mean I love coffee house cappuccino the perfect balanced infusion of expresso and warm fluffy milk. In one easy step!

I got home and read the directions carefully (they arn't more then a page but I was so worried from the reviews and the counter lady they are all really just common sense like using a drip coffee maker.

I Fired it up (I have a gas stove) in 4 minutes pure magic! That day I think I made 3 more! I have made at least 30 since then. All with no problems.

I drink the whole 16oz.-er myself thank goodness the wife doesn't like Cappuccino because I would need to share the goodness! I think they taste as good as Coffee House Cappuccino.

I think the ROI will be pretty high!

I was given this coffee maker for Christmas, and really liked the end result - a perfectly frothed, yummy espresso. I didn't have the leaking problems other people noted, BUT...the first time I made my coffee, I went to clean the unit and noticed the bottom portion (where the water goes) looked really strange! It was all spotty, as if the metal had eroded in places throughout. It kind of freaked me out, but I kept it and made about 6 more coffees over the next month or so. Not only did the bottom portion get worse, but the filter (where you put the espresso) as well as the upper part of the unit (where the milk goes) - all began to turn orange, like it was rusting and corroded. Did anyone else experience this??? I took it back to Williams-Sonoma, and they basically said, "It's aluminum, so you have to make sure it's washed and dried immediately after use, and not left wet." HELLO! IT'S A COFFEE MAKER. THEY GET WET. That shouldn't mean they should start rusting! Was my particular product defective, or has anyone else seen this happen with their machine?

Last week I bought the Mukka Express as a Christmas present to myself. I calculated that I had been spending about$2,000/year at my neighborhood Starbucks and decided there had to be a better way. My requirements were simple. It had to be quick, rich and strong. The Mukka meets all these requirements perfectly....but I did have to work hard on our relationship!

First, what it is. The Mukka uses a 'pressure cooker' type coffee making system to make espresso coffee and to make milk hot or frothy. You start by putting water in the bottom compartment, coffee in the middle and milk on top. The water in the lower chamber goes up through the coffee into the top chamber and mixes with the milk. Some of the steam also goes up to heat the milk for a latte or steam the milk for a cappuccino. There is a valve in the lower chamber for safety and a top valve as well. The top valve can be left open for lattes or pushed down to make cappucinos. The Mukka is for stovetop use and it really can't be washed in the diswasher.

What do I love? Well...it's fast. I put it on my electric coil type range on the 5 heat setting, and it's ready in 10 minutes. I use soy milk, and it heats it up just great for latte (which is what I like), the froth for soy milk is so=so, but not a big deal for me. The espresso ( you can also make it without milk) is just great, and again, very quick.

What could be better? That's easy!!! The instructions. They're terrible. I did better watching the video somewhere on the net, sorry can't remember where, and using common sense. Kind of pricey...$90 plus tax at my local coffee shop. It doesn't make a ton of coffee, but since it's done quickly I haven't really run into a big problem there.

Hints for you! First of all, make sure you use good quality coffee and that they grind it down to a powder, otherwise it will leak through the middle. A big mess. Be sure to screw it down fairly tightly. Turn down the heat as soon as it starts to gurgle, but let it stay hot to go through all the coffee. Also, when you pour it, put it back down and let the rest of the coffee come up to the top compartment...there seems to be a shut off valve up there to prevent spilling over. Cool the pot down with cold water and remove the black valve in the top compartment before trying to unscrew it. IT WON'T SCREW APART IF YOU DON'T REMOVE THE VALVE!! Sadly, this isn't mentioned anywhere in the directions. Hey, Bialletti, hire me to write your instructions so that I can live in Florence!! Ha ha.

I miss the cute Starbucks guys but love my new gadget.

This is a nice tool if you don't have the counter space. BUT...the cappucino consistently comes out too milky for my liking. Also, no matter how tight I screwed the tank and upper piece together (and ensured the gasket was placed properly) the unit always leaked. The button on the button pressure valve (for the milk) did not stay up and was a in a permanent "botton down" position for the cappuccino option. It looks like this is a common problem. I had to return the unit for a a standard stovetop espresso maker. At least with one of those I have a perfect espresso to pour into a controlled volume of milk, frothed just the way I like it.

I bought this unit because I was tired of brewing my coffee in a stovetop espresso maker and foaming the milk in a separate pan. Cool, the mukka espress would do it all in one unit.
I have yet to get any foam. If I'm doing something wrong I'd like to know what it is.
In addition, the beverage that I do end up with, is tepid.

I received this last fall for a gift - used it many times with not much success but I wanted it to work so badly that I kept trying - it always leaked, made a huge mess on the stove! I finally decided to exchange it - I figured there must be something wrong with the one I had - the new one works like a dream! I wish I had exchanged it sooner. The froth is great - even with skim milk!

What a great product - admittedly the first time I used it milk went everywhere and there there was some leakage, but now that I've sorted out the water/milk levels and realised that a low-medium heat is the best (still quick) everything is running smoothly.

I like it and my friends like it.

Every single time we have used it, it has spilled out all over the stove and made a huge mess. Threw it in the trash eventually. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS!!!!!!!!!

I've had the Mukka Express since Christmas and, after a couple of botched attempts, I've gotten the hang of it. Using the quantities of water and milk called by the manufacturer, I've enjoyed many delicious cappucinos, just about as good as a coffee house beverage, and yes, it does make a 7.5 ounce serving. Separating the two halves for cleaning was a challenge at first, but I found that removing the pressure valve from the top portion allows for easy separation. Then just fill the top portion with warm water after you've poured your drink and the cleaning is much easier. The "eruptions" described by the previous reviewers sound like the heat was too high. I have a very basic Krup espresso maker--which has been sitting in the attic for years now. For an easy, uncomplicated cup of cappucino or latte, this is the appliance to have.

So far, I've used my Mukka Express ("cow" version) nearly every day for ~1 1/2 months, and it has consistently yielded delicious cappuccino. I've tried this with both soy milk & 1%, & it's great, although I find it froths better with 1%. My cappuccino tastes & looks like the real thing - which is amazing considering it takes less than 5 minutes to prepare on a regular electrical stovetop. Cleaning the unit is no big deal either - I do it right away since it gets more difficult as the milk dries in the upper chamber. ***The only caveat to this product is that the cappuccino comes out lukewarm.*** So, I have to nuke my cup each time. Other than that, I love my Mukka Express & recommend it!

What a wonderful idea, and when it works the cappuccino is delicious. However, out of about 30 tries I've had success about twice. Invariably all the coffee leaks out onto the stove - - big mess, big waste of coffee. I've tried everything, to no avail. (Lower heat, tighter seal - which often leads to a pot that almost cannot be opened by man nor beast, cleaning coffee grounds off of the threads carefully, even oiling the gasket). Unfortunately it was a gift and I can't return or exchange it. So... I've tried to contact Bialetti, have even been assigned a "Case number", but they absolutely will not respond further. So I'm totally frustrated, as I'd still like to make this thing work! My best advice: buy from a reputable store, follow all the directions carefully and practice, practice, practice your technique. Sounds like there are faulty units out there like mine, so if it still doesn't work - - return or exchange it. I'm not ready to give up - - can you imagine... I still like the darn thing!

I bought this machine a few months ago - used it twice and never again... Made a huge mess on my stovetop and was extremely hard to clean... Nice to look at though...

This little thing really does make a perfect cappuccino with perfect tasty froth. My only complaint is that it doesn't make a big enough quantity for this venti sized drinker but really, that is barely a complaint. You can only make one serving at a time and have to clean it each time so if you have a guest or two over it can be a little time consuming. A big thing that I noticed is that the directions say that you need to make and discard at least 3 pots of coffee and from there the coffee gets better each time you use it...this is absolutely true! I tried tasting the first few pots to see if there really was a difference and there was. The first 4 brewings were really undrinkable so be aware of that. Also, make sure you get coffee that is ground for espresso makers. I tried regular ground coffee and it didn't come out well either. And as a last point, make sure you screw the pressure valve down and lock it or else you will end up with an explosion of coffee all over your ceiling. I learned that one by experience. Thankfully I wasn't standing right there or I most certainly would have lost an eye!

This little thing is great! Just follow the directions and you will get perfect cappuccino every time! One hint...make sure your pressure valve is open. I poke a toothpick into the small hole on the pressure valve after every use and this seems to eliminate any leakage, yes, it's happened to me, too. It saves me time standing in line at coffee shops, and money formerly spent on gourmet coffees. Oh yes, one more FYI, I use flavored soy milk and it turns out great!! So those health concious consumers will appreciate that, too.

I bought a polished aluminum Mukka Express for my coffee junkie wife, after being intrigued by the concept.

Unfortunately, we have tried countless tweaks of heat settings, milk/water levels and grind variations - only to end up with the same milky coffee with a few bubbles floating on the surface.

After mentioning our disappointing results to an office colleague, they said that Consumer Reports couldn't make it work either. I went to the library to find the brief review, and sure enough, their experience was pretty much the same as ours.

Buyer beware!

After reading all other reviews, I have been very careful about measuring the right amount of water and milk. So far I used about 10 times and I haven't had any messups. My only complaint is that I wish I could make AMERICAN-SIZE two cups.

I have never written an online review before, but after reading so much negative commentary about this product, I feel compelled to write.

First, if you cannot read and follow instructions, don't buy this product. Just continue to waste your money at Starbucks.

If you can read, and follow instructions, consider it if you would:

1) Like to have fast, delicious espresso or cappucino at home; or

2) Are sick of paying 4 dollars/day at Starbucks (ever heard of the "latte effect" of why people don't save more money?)

This is a fantastic product. I have owned various cappucino machines since 1987, and even have one of the super high-end cappucino makers from Starbucks. However, I got sick of having it take up so much counter space and require so much hassle and clean-up, so I got this. It is wonderful. It takes up no space at all, and I just leave it on the stove-top. I get it set up the night before (with water and espress-ground coffee), and in the morning, I just pour milk to the line, set the heat to medium high, and in 4 minutes have perfect cappucino. If you really doubt you can handle this, just go to the website and they have a demonstration video you can watch.

Tips: If the valve is not in the locked position, it will explode (see the other reviewers, who did not comprehend this basic point). Fill the water and milk to the indicated lines --don't overfill. Use medium heat, and set your timer for 4 minutes and wait for the steam noise to start. Once you get used to how the machine works, you will probably want to leave it on the stove a bit longer (after the steam noise) so that it is really hot.

Enjoy. This is a really great product that deserves a try. You can also make fantastic expresso/french roast with it by omitting the milk and running just with water and coffee grounds.

I received the Mukka Express as a Christmas gift from my daughter. I LOVED IT for about 4 months. It stopped working properly in May. I contacted Bialetti and, to their credit, they sent me a replacement valve at no charge. It's been 3.5 weeks since I received it and now it isn't working properly either. What I keep getting is latte. I can make hot milk and coffee in any pot I have at home. I don't need a $90 pot for that! I am so disappointed as it was making great cappuccino for a while there and it was delicious. Good amount of stiff foam, great tasting hot coffee. It seems to me that the valve just wears out too quickly. It doesn't hold back the pressure properly and it just leaks the steam & coffee into the top all through the heating process. If I stand over the pot and hold the button down it will make great cappuccino, but I am tired of almost burning my arm! I know....I was getting desperate!

I plan on returning the coffee pot and saving my money up for a REAL espresso/cappuccino machine.

When I first took this our of the box and read the directions, I almost packed it back up and returned it. The directions are quite daunting, and make the process sound very complicated. How could anyone do this BEFORE their morning coffee? However, once I actually made a pot -- and especially after making and discarding three pots, per the instructions -- I was a pro. It's very easy, and you can certainly make a cappuccino first thing in the morning.

A few thoughts if you're consider buying: This does not make a cappuccino like you would get at Starbucks. The foam is not as generous or stiff. This is more like a cappuccino you would get in Italy -- coffee with milk and some foam. Also, the "2 cup size" refers to a more European size of coffee cup, not the big mugs Americans are accustomed to. Still, the machine makes more than one good-sized mug per pot. I think you get about 12-14 ounces of cappuccino. This is actually the reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 -- not because I find the capacity too small, but actually too large for me, and the capacity cannot be adjusted. Water (for the coffee) and milk must be measured precisely to ensure good brewing and foam.

As other reviewers have noted, the coffee does get better with more uses. I am still experimenting with some variables -- heat of the burner, amount of ground espresso, etc. (don't skimp on the coffee!). I have been using low fat (1%) milk and getting good results.

For cleaning, the instructions state that you should cool the unit under running cold water and wash immediately. I have had success in simply rinsing the upper chamber and removing/rinsing the valve, then letting the pot sit with some water in the upper chamber until after I have enjoyed my coffee. I would not recommend letting it sit for long without rinsing, as the milk would become hard to clean.

Overall, I am quite pleased and would certainly buy the product again.

Really, I am an expert on this subject. I have a restaurant quality espresso machine at home, roast my own beans, and know good coffee when I drink it. This device is amazing, and almost foolproof. You see from other reviewers that it isn't entirely foolproof, but if you actually follow the simple directions, it works every time for me. The biggest difference between this capp and pro-machine capp is that the foam and the coffee are one---meaning, the foam is not white, but the color of coffee. Still, it makes a nice rich foam, not quite as rich as I can with a proper machine. But for 89 dollars, a moment of time, a moment to clean----this is really great, and a brilliant invention. Make sure you use good coffee---Illy is the best in a can, but many local roasters can do better and fresher.

I got the Mukka from my Mom for Christmas, who herself bought 4! It has been great and has saved a lot of money that would have gone to Starbucks without sacrificing the quality.

I have one major warning. Be sure to clean your valve thoroughly after each use. I didn't do so and I had to order a new valve, still quite cheap at $7). Run very hot soapy water through it so that it comes out the little spout that gives you the foam. (You should be able to blow into the valve like a straw, if not, milk has built up inside. Then place in a cup of vinegar until the next use. It seems to be working like a charm and I use my pot every day!

I made a few really good pots, but have had more total messes, and I have been extremely careful. Although the process is not at all difficult, it must be very finnicky.I have had water and coffee leaks all over my stove- perhaps a tiny ground of esspresso prevented the proper seal.After reading the trouble-shooting tips I was extra sure not to overfill the coffee resevoir and to clean the area, just in case.No luck.
It was nice when it worked, but I will sadly go back to my grind 'n brew.

as other reviewers have stated, WHEN this product works as its supposed to, it does make a great cappuccino. but more than half the time, the unit leaks all over the stove, leaving a mess and a strong smell of burnt coffee. half the time i have to re-do the process and start over again from scratch. the froth and coffee also tends to suddenly erupt, leaving another mess and a burn risk if you dont pour it into a cup the second its ready. it cannot be left unattended. i cannot believe this product passed any tests. its a fire hazard, a burn hazard and makes my kitchen a mess. its just not worth the stress!

Bought the machine about a month ago. DID NOT want to pay the prices of the steamer styles, so took a chance with this. Works fine. Great cup of cappuccino. Only once (out of 30+ cups to date) has the machine leaked at the center seal. I now remove the o-ring and screen to clean regularly.

I found this product easy to use. It produced great foam and made coffee quickly. Only trouble was no matter what I tried the coffee was always weak and tasted a little like dishwater. Even with good ground espresso. I am currently making espresso with a traditional machine and using a $5 aerator for foam.

But practice is needed. I have had the Mukka express since Christmas. The first two months it worked great. I started having problems such as those mentioned below and began to despair! But a little work and re-reading of the manual made all right in the coffee world.

Hard water - if you have hard water (like me), I noticed build ups especially around the screw threads. I soaked the whole thing in vinegar and baking soda et voila! I no longer had problems screwing the two halves together. (Be sure to rise thoroughly before using again)

And speaking of screwing - don't be afraid of screwing the two halves together TIGHTLY. And make sure that it is aligned properly. I initially didn't and had the mess to prove it. Twist it as hard as you can. As the metal cools after you make your coffee, it contracts and you can unscrew the two halves easily.

Coffee - Since I usually make coffee for myself, I wasn't filling up the entire basket. Mistake! I found out the hard way the basket need to be filled to the rim for that great coffee taste.

And finally - if the valve becomes clogged (especially the thingy that makes the foam), soak it in boiling water to clean it. I've also found that personally, skim milk makes the best foam. This item is really worth it if you like capuccino. It takes up infinitely less counter space and is much more portable.

...and if you do it makes a great latte or cappucino. Follow the directions explicitly, or you could have a mess on your hands, as some other reviewers have reported. Now that I've had it a couple of months, it comes out perfectly (including lots of foam, if that's what you choose)99% of the time. When there is a problem (leaking, exploding, etc., as noted by others) it's because you haven't done something right. When instructions are followed, it works just great. Some things to particularly watch out for:

-Be certain the rubber seal is properly seated.
-Check to make sure you have properly screwed the two main parts together - correctly and securely.
-Observe fill line guidelines strictly - if you put in either too much water or milk, it will overflow.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the design - when I've had problems, it's been my error.

The instructions are clear and thorough - just don't be hasty or careless and you will love this item.

Well, the party's over for our little Mukka, whose valve gave out after 9 months of faithful service. We received the Mukka for Christmas last year, and last week (mid-August), it started spewing steam out of the little side valve. We tried tightening it with a small wrench, and then looked around online for a replacement to no avail (even more frustrating is that Bialetti sells replacement valves for other models, just not the Mukka).

We agree with most of the other reviewers: when you first get the contraption, it takes practice to get a perfect cup of coffee. Here was our formula: fill the water compartment higher than they recommend: about one plastic measuring cup (provided in the package) plus a splash more. Also you can add more milk than they recommend, which is advisable because the upper valve can't really froth a small amount. If you add extra liquids, don't forget to add more espresso as well, so you don't end up with weak cappuccino. Set your stove to between medium and high -- never on high -- and listen for it to stop frothing. Resist the urge to remove the pot from the heat; your coffee will be tepid. Let it sit on the medium heat for 3-5 more minutes, then remove from heat. Voila -- perfect bubbly latte (not quite a true cappuccino, but lovely).

If your coffee isnt coming out just perfect, you have perhaps had the heat too high so the water didnt have time to heat slowly and brew the coffee properly. This little cutie of a coffee brewer is the best one I have EVER tried! Best if you leave the top knob up to prevent too much action resulting in spillage. Emily in Houston

After I got my Mukka I had the same problem lots of people had regarding the milk spilling over. I called Bialetti and was helped by a lovely woman who explained to me when that happens often times the stove is set a too high a temperature. I lowered the temporature and voila! Perfection :)

My Mukka leaked at the center the first 3 times I used it, so I let it sit for 4 months before I could bring myself to try again. A tiny bit of olive oil to lube both gaskets seemed to fix the seal. However, not remembering which water level line was appropriate, it went off like a Roman candle before I re-read the directions and dug out the measuring cup. It is temperamental but still produces a decent cappuccino.

Through trial and error I learned how to fix 2 things that impede Mukka's performance. 1) If you find the product leaks and does not function no matter how tightly you screw the 2 compartments, take out the filter plate and gasket from the top part and wash these thoroughly. 2) The pressure valve got clogged. Pressure would build up but none was pushed through the valve to foam the milk. It was very dandgerous to take the valve off as this was followed by steam that would SHOOT out. I tried to find a replacement valve but it's not available anywhere in Canada. So I stubbornly started pushing a tiny wire (used for bracelets) through it until all blockage came out.

Having figured out these 2 things, I find that this product works perfectly and consistently - I love it !

O.K. I didn't throw out this Mukka as I swore I was going to do in my previous review that follows this one. Thought I would give it one last chance so reread all the reviews I could on this item and noticed one that focused on the valve and frother unit and how, when clogged, will cause this Bialetti to leak all over -- no matter how tightly the units are screwed together and the filter cleaned, etc. Since I soaked for a bit and washed this maker every time I used it, I assumed that any build up of anything was getting diluted away. Obviously, not the case. So, I straightened out a clean wire hairpin, and poked it through the opening on the valve as well as on the frother in the upper unit. Guess what? True Success! I have enjoyed wonderfully tasting cappuccino for the past several evenings without one little drop leaking out onto the stove. In short, this is a super little cappuccino maker. However, the caution is that each part of it requires vigilant attention and care otherwise it turns into a "tempermental Italian" (like me! :-)). So, we have bonded, and taking the extra time required with it is worth it from my perspective.


Previous Review: I left an earlier review giving this product 3 stars and had mentioned that it was important to take apart and wash the filter and gasket after each use. Was I ever wrong! It is not worth even one star. I just got done cleaning up yet another mess on my stove and not even getting a bit of coffee to drink from it all. Like the review from Rebecca (California), I am known for logically figuring out how things work (besides being college educated -- not that this matters)and have tried everything, including tightening as much as possible the upper unit to the lower unit on this thing before placing on the stove. Forget it! I, too, only get coffee 1/3 of the time, if that. Hey, tomorrow is trash pick up day for me and you can guess where this piece of junk is going. It's not worth all the effort to be left with crossing your fingers and hoping it works. It is too bad, because the concept is great in theory. Since several other reviewers seem to have better luck, it could just be that Bialetti has poor quality control.

My First Review: When I first got the bialetti, it worked perfectly the first few times. Yummy stuff! Four stars! (Only because it only makes either 2 tiny cups or one Starbucks mug-sized cup, otherwise I would rate it 5 stars). Then, the leaking and mess started with each subsequent pot. Not yummy stuff! I would check so very carefully around the edges before screwing oh so tightly the upper unit to the lower unit and made sure that I didn't overfill with water or with coffee, etc. Yet, maddenly, the thing would leak, leak, leak all over the burner. Even though I washed the bialetti each and every time after use, I wasn't separating the gasket and filter from the upper unit, though I was soaping and rinsing that area. My husband calls me a "female Howard Hughes" because normally I'm cleaning every nook and cranny of everything. Well, I didn't with the Bialetti (yes, I'm embarrassed)until this morning. I thought I would give this maker one more try before throwing $89+ bucks in the trash. Ouch! I disassembled the Bialetti completely and washed separately every little piece and then, with fingers crossed, made a cappuccino. My eyes grew wide and my heart soared as not one little dribble leaked from the unit on my stove. I am now enjoying a wonderful cappuccino. So, in summary, if you take great care in taking apart and cleaning the filter and gasket frequently (which some of you out there may be saying "duh"!), it should thank you back with a leak-free,satisfying and great tasting cappuccino or latte!

I already had the Bialetti stove top espresso pot and loved it and when I saw the Mukka Expresso pot I had to have it also. I tried it this morning with fat free milk and good espresso beans and it was terrific. I also used unrefined sugar. That also makes it better. It is perfect for the easy one time cappuccino that you want at home. It works great on my gas stove top. To me, it is a lot less trouble than a electric cappuccino machine.

I've been using mine regularly for about a month and I love it. Makes 2 great cups of cappuccino. I briefly had a problem with leakage but discovered the solution - if you wet the seals before you start every time you won't have any leakage. If you start with them dry, you're liable to get some leakage.

If you want an easy home cappuccino maker that won't take up a lot of space, I highly recommend you consider this.

Do not buy this product unless you are really looking for something to do in the mornings. I feel like I've ground $100 up in the garbage disposal with the used coffee grinds. I am college-educated, very analytical and meticulous in reading and following directions, but I can not get this device to work more than 1/3 of the time. It leaks all over the stove top creating a mess and stink of burnt coffee. Imagine dealing with this at 6:30 or 7:00 in the morning before work. I have tried every remedy from reducing the heat intensity, using less coffee in the filter basket, cleaning the gasket/seal every time and nothing corrects the problem. When I contacted the distributor from whom I bought the product, they would not let me return it for a refund but did exchange it for another -- no improvement at all. I've now wasted a second 1/2 pound of coffee and am back to stopping at Starbucks for my morning cappuchino.

Just got this lovely printed cappuccino maker through amazon after reading all the reviews. Since then, I have been using it every evening to make excellent cappuccino to enjoy with dessert after dinner. It really makes a fast and wonderful cappuccino. Overall, I'm very happy with this product.

Many of the reviews of this coffee maker make it seem like it is complicated so I was a bit worried, but I found it very easy to use. So far the one time it hasnt worked properly was when I didnt close it tight enough at the middle. The little dvd that it came with had some good tips. Makes tasty cappuccino, look out StarBucks.

This is a great overall product. However, I experienced both the leaks and the eruption that other reviewers mentioned. I tried both treating the seal with a little olive oil and keeping the heat down. Both ideas worked GREAT and I am back to using it almost daily. I have to say, I was frustrated after cleaning the stove several times. I think following the manufacturer's directions is important, but with my stove I need to keep the heat at medium instead of med-high.
Good luck!

Please ignore the bad reviews. This is a wonderful cappuccino maker!

Just be sure to follow the instructions (they are not complicated). It's such a treat to have a cappuccino or cafe au lait at home. We love our Mukka Express and use it almost everyday. It's the best purchase we have bought in a while. It seems gimicky but it's truly a good purchase.

This is a remarkable little pot. As the other reviewers stated - following all the directions is mandatory. If you are patient with yourself through the first couple of trys, I promise you will be hooked! Hints - don't overfill coffee (because as you attach pot and base they can push out and ruin the seal, thus you'll have the leaks another reviewer mentioned), and keep your gas flame under the pot. I think the clean up is much quicker than the larger electrified versions. Enjoy!

This little item has brought great joy to my mornings. I had been using a little bialetti moka pot for my morning coffee and adding milk from the fridge. The Mukka Express is a bit more effort, but is more than worth it. As other reviewers have revealed, it is not foolproof (the reason for the 4 star review). There have been 2 times (in over 30 uses) when it leaked. Unfortunately, when this occurs, you have to start over (much hassle). There have also been a few times when it has not produced much foam (still good, though. I think this has to do with how well I've cleaned it). But, on the whole, the end-product is just as promised - a good strong latte with a lot of foam. Because there's milk involved, it does take a bit longer to clean than the regular moka pot. But, it is not too much trouble for the joy of a good cappuccino at my own kitchen table.

I'm very pleased with this product, although there was a bit of a learning curve involved. At first, I was having problems with coffee coming out of the pot where the top and bottom are screwed together while the pot was heating on the stove. I was able to stop this from happening by wetting the seals before screwing the pot together. I don't know why this works, but I haven't had any problems since. Overall, this pot is very quick and easy to use. I use vanilla soy milk and sometimes add hot cocco mix to make a mocha. It tastes great!

I could not wait to purchase this item. I love my moring latte's and figured if I skip my afternoon latte for a month (as this is an $89 product), it would be worth it. In any case, I must have gone through at least 1/2 lb. of espresso coffee with no success. I read through all of the previous reviews on every possible site. I tried taking it apart, cleaning every piece. Lowering the flame, etc. To no avail. My stove would be splattered. No matter how tight, how clean, how patient, it was a mess every time. I'm returning it this weekend and will return to using my regular espresso maker and warming up the milk and using my separate frother.

My advice ... save your money and wait for the Mukka 2 (we hope) that will fix all these problems.

The mukka Express rocks. But there are some small tips:

1) Use it, clean it, this means taking all parts off and cleaning well (specially the gasket) and the pressure valve.
2) Expresso ground. Anything else and it won't work correctly
3) Rub the rim with your index finger before you screw the top on
4) Screw the top TIGHTLY. This may require big hands!

Perfection.

I've followed the instructions carefully each time. About 1 time out of 10, I have a decent cup of cappuccino. The rest of the time, I have spills (despite tightening the pieces carefully) or just steamed milk. It's a pain to clean up as well. I recommend saving your money and buying a better quality product.

I've owned the mukka express for almost two years now. It was a rocky start as it can get tempramental at times, but once I figured out the quirks it makes great cappuccino 19 out of 20 times. That one time is when the frother is clogged, or I don't screw it on right and it leaks, or the frother is put on wrong. Usually user error.

It is helpful to every once in a while to run it with a full tank of water only if the frother is not performing up to speed. This will blow out any dried milk or coffee residue in the frother.

Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT under any circumstances take the frother off if it fails to brew. You will have coffee everywhere and probably some third degree burns. It is a simple thing to avoid but if you haven't had your morning coffee yet it can happen to the best of us.

Non fat milk works great. For some reason some mornings it froths fantastically and others it is kind of flat. But the taste is always amazing. Running it without coffee as described above sometimes helps it to froth better.



I had mixed results with this machine. As others write - you must follow the instructions to the letter. I must have been doing something wrong, because I had lots of problems. If you buy one of these machines, you *MUST* keep your eye on it while it's on the stove. Don't turn away... It can boil over and create a collossal mess on your stove. If you buy one, make sure the seller has a liberal return policy in case you have problems.

The other thing I didn't like was that there's a lot of cleanup after you brew your cappucino or latte. Some of the new modern machines require almost *NO* cleanup.

I love coffee....my husband doesn't drink it at all. So when I was shopping for the perfect coffee maker to add to our wedding registry (we're newlyweds), this little guy caught my eye for a couple of reasons. Primarily, for my fondness of cappucino. I spent a summer in Italy and have never gotten over the pure bliss of real cappucino every morning. Secondly, for my fondness of lattes. When I came back to the U.S. I couldn't stand the way cappucinos were made here, so I switched to lattes. And finally, for the amount of coffee it makes at a time - perfect for the sole coffee lover of the house.

I was a little skeptical about how well this guy would work, but took a chance, and I'm so glad I did! If you follow the instructions and the advice of other reviewers here, you will be a proud and happy Bialetti owner. It took me a few days to work it out perfectly for my stove (just a little higher than medium, and can't fill the milk all the way up to the milk line or it overflows), but after that it has been smooth sailing. (Except for the time I left the steam valve off...Fireworks of coffee! And all I could do was stand back and watch since it was steaming hot...it was pitifully funny.) Most of the time I make lattes instead of cappucinos for ease of clean-up, but I love being able to impress my guests with a creamy cappucino from the cutest machine ever.

I have never been able to get the advertised cappuccino out of this- makes lattes only. Also one of three tries results in leaking and boil-overs. I have the burn on my arm to prove it! This gets dangerous with the steam and stove clean-ups. (One of my burners is also damaged by leaking coffee into the electronic ignition port. I have to light the gas burner manually now.)

On other tries the latte is tepid as the milk is not heated enough despite leaving it on the extinguished burner as Bialetti suggests. (Bialetti always finds it the customer's fault for poor results, apparently, from reading other reviews here.)If the Mukka Expres is that finicky in operation maybe it should have the design tweaked until consistency can be achieved.

NEVER walk-away from this product while in use- making it is difficult to use it in the morning before work.

Complicated clean up is tedious for one cup of coffee.

It was a gift- glad I did not waste $90 on this product.

This pot does make a decent cup of coffee, but, it can be a bit messy and tedious to make! You really have to tighten the base before placing on stove because if it is loose, it will spew coffee all over everything within a 3 foot radius. Also, it can be a bit tough to unscrew after use. Does not allow extra space in filter to add extra coffee for stronger coffee. Finally, it can be a bit tough to keep clean as you really have to scrub the inside. Certainly not worth $90 for this maker.

I love this thing! I really like cappuccino but hated frothing the milk with my old machine, so I never used it. I saw the Mukka Express in a catalog and ended up getting it for my birthday. It's kind of expensive, but so cool the way it makes a perfect large cup of latte or cappuccino.

You must follow the directions to the "T" I've never had an explosion or more than a small leak where the two pieces screw together, but you have to be sure it's screwed together correctly, not off kilter, and securely. As for cleanup, I was leary about rinsing it immediatly with cold water, but once I tried it I realized it's no big deal. Once I pour the coffee out, I just stick it in the sink and let cold water run in it to rinse the milk out. Then later I unscrew it and wash the rest of it. No big deal.

The coolest thing is how it froths the milk automatically! It sounds like Starbucks in my kitchen almost 5 minutes exactly after I put it on the burner at just under medium high.

If you take care to follow the directions, you'll love the Mukka Express.


... And this is a little cappuccino maker that will make you happy!
I've owned the Mukka Express 2 for about two weeks now and have had no problems with it at all. I should write that I took the advice of some of the people who have reviewed this item previous to me, and found them to be helpful as well.
For instance: follow the directions meticulously- this is how you avoid the dreaded hot coffee shower. Don't let the (initially) unfamiliar sounds from the machine scare you! Be aware of the limited fluid capacity and adhere to the limits of time and such... as an example, I experimented with times, degree of heat, etc., when I was making the "at least three pots of espresso" which is recommended to make before using the system for consumption. It was during these "tempering" experiments when I really got used to the Mukka Express. In fact, I made five pots because I found the unit to have an odd odor until I made the fifth pot. Oh- you might want to consider what kind of espresso you will use to temper the Mukka Express... it's alot of waste. I just went ahead and used the good stuff, hoping it would just... add to the total flavor. I don't know if that's really necessary- that would be your call. I did take the advice of another reviewer and add a touch of light olive oil around the large gasket to ensure a good seal; I did this several times and have only ceased doing so in the last two days. Whether I am tempting fate, I don't know! Either way, when I was first using the cappuccino maker it gave me a greater sense of safety... as I wrote, some of those reviews scared me! I'm glad I didn't let them scare me away from buying the Mukka Express 2, though- I really am very happy with it. Follow those directions and you will be, too!

I purchased this product about 2 weeks ago. I have used it everyday (sometimes twice) without incident. Follow the directions using the proper amount of water and milk and a good seal between top and bottom portion and the device should work fine. The first few cups were not very good (manual recommends to discard first 3). There was a marked improvement by batch 6 or 7, due probably to the machine breaking in and some fine tuning on my part (proper heat, how much ground to use, type of milk). I use a pretty high setting on the my gas stove and skim milk, which seemed to froth more. It is also a good idea to clean the machine shortly after use, especially the top portion where the milk goes. Also, make sure to remove the pressure valve or it is impossible to take apart.

If used properly (and it is not hard to do so) this machine makes a very good, tasteful, frothy cappuccino. Throw in a proper mug, some powdered coco, and a biscotti and this is about as good as it gets.

Recommended!!!

Update. Machine still works great. Use it all the time. Twice, I had a problem with it with the coffee spilling over. Each time though, I noticed that the top and bottom portion were not screwed together correctly. One thing that I cannot figure out is that sometimes I get a lot of froth and other times, not so much. A mystery. Another thing I learned is that you must clean the top portion where the milk goes right away!! Still very satisfied with product. Have not been to Starbucks since.

This thing is great, but don't pay $90. The Great Indoors has it on sale for $59 right now, at least through the weekend. Good luck finding one, but a great deal if you can (they'll write a rain check if you ask - make sure it shows the $59 sale price!)

I am a serious S-bucks addict and since I have purchased my Bialetti Mukka Express, I am making S-bucks coffees at home. My favorite, a vanilla latte is accomplished using their House blend ground for an expresso machine and a 1 oz. shot of their vanilla syrup. I've made iced lattes too but not putting the milk in the Bialetti, but adding it to cold to 3 oz. of the coffee in a cup full of ice.

I agree with others. The only oops I have had is when I didn't screw on the top to the bottom properly. I'd recommend the all stainless product. My friend got the cute cow print and her oops have caused the paint to peel - not pretty!

this is such a nifty little machine. I echo the previous reviewers by saying that it is not difficult to use; just follow the directions and you will have a delicious cup of frothy cappucino or latte in no time. the pressure from the espresso steams the milk (with no extra effort from you). just fill the unit up, place it on the burner, and it's all done in under 5 minutes! the one extra tip (I learned from other reviewers) that really seems to make a difference - is the rub of olive oil on the seals before screwing together. and clean up is a breeze. soak in water, and when the pressure has died down, the unit is easy to open and finish cleaning. even the milk doesn't stick if you run it under water and soak right away. what an ingenious idea!

This thing is great! It works well, in just a few minutes, and makes delicious coffee shop quality cappuccinos and lattes. I read some of the reviews that indicated that it was messy or hard to use, but I haven't found that to be the case at all. I did take the advice of one of the reviewers and put a bit of oil around the rim of the gasket, which may have prevented some problems. If you like gourmet coffee drinks, you'll be glad you got this.

I received this pot yesterday as a Christmas gift. Following the manufacter's instructions, I discarded the first 3 pots. On the first try it did leak. Second pot, I tightened the halves tighter and it went well--no leaks. The third pot was heaven! Frothy milk and and smooooooth cappucino! I have had about 6 or 7 electric espresso/cappucino makers over the years and this is by far the easiest to use, to clean and the quickest! I LOVE it! Just a little patience and some muscle to tighten it and it works great! Like anything new, give it a chance and you'll get the hang of it and reap the benefits of good coffee!

It's taken me almost a dozen attempts to get it perfect, but it's worth it!

I had a problem with it being hot enough so my sister suggested that I preheat the milk in the microwave before putting it in the Mukka Express.

This worked perfectly!

This is the MOST delicious Cappaccino and so quick. Follow the directions perfectly, that is a must. If you aren't good at following directions then go to the coffee house because this is not for you.

Very VERY pleased with this.

I received this for Christmas, and absolutely love it. I've had no problems using, just follow the instructions exactly. I did find using skim milk I should fill just under the specified line. If you are a precise person, you'll have no problem using this product- just do not leave it unattended. Highly recommend!


This is a must have if you are one of those that likes to have your Cappuccino or Latte. I received this as a gift and wondered if it was just another thing to take up space. It is definetly not. A few friends have come over during the holidays and saw it, tried it and are getting one too.
Enjoy!

It's amazing to me that you can get such an excellent brew from something that costs a fraction of what a nice espresso maker costs you. I use Blue Smoke Coffee's Crossroads blend in this thing and it is just amazing how great it tastes. I promise I've never had a latte from a coffee house that tastes as good.

I gave this to my daughter for Christmas, as it is what she wanted and she
said that it took a couple of times for the milk to steam properly and the part where you had to hand tighten was tricky, in that if it was too loose it leaked, but now that she has worked out the kinks, she loves it.

I've had this for a year now and because it's worked out so well I thought I would weigh in here. There were a few Monte Etna moments between us but now we're happily married. How nice to have delicious cappuccino at home (for me much better than any coffee shop in the area) and not have to give over half my small kitchen to coffee shop equipment. Every morning I go off to work with my biscotti (Julia Croce recipe) and my coffee mug filled. One of my better routines. Since the cows are right around the corner, I had to have the cow print - no peeling problems as mentioned by another reviewer. Here's what has helped me:

1. Must use fine grind, I use Illy, (supermarket machines don't go fine enough) and be sure to wipe residual grinds from rim of filter (I use my finger) before screwing on top, firmly.

2. Watch water and milk levels, also, different types of milk (low fat etc) produce different froth results.

3. Make sure gaskets are not twisted, very important that filter gasket be straight.

4. For nice hot brew, just let it sit for a bit on burner with stove still on after it brews.

5. Cleaning: Let your boyfriend do that.

I think that should cover it! I've never made the latte but maybe I'll try that tomorrow morning.

I love this piece of equipment. I received it for Christmas and was a little intimidated at first. I read the manual a few times, and noticed they highlight the fact that you should brew 3 cups of coffee in the machine and toss them before you brew your cappuccino to drink. The key to this device is the more you use it, the better your cappuccinos taste. I love the fact the I can make them at home and they're just as good as any coffee shop (assuming you use good esspresso beans).

First, I want to say I was able to score one of these from Bed Bath and Beyond for under $50. I have always been intrigued by this product because of what it claimed to do and it looks. Everything is made top notch with this pot.

For actual usage of this product, reading everyone's reviews helped alot. I have a few to share too:

1) I have an electric range, and for me, setting the heat at 6 (out of 9) was perfect. Anything more and you are asking for the dreaded "volcano" effect.

2) The plastic water cup that comes with this is extremely important. You only fill this once. It doesn't seem like alot of water, but when you combine the concentrated coffee with the frothed milk, it creates a ton of product. Also do not overfill the milk. Stop at the line in the pot.

3) It takes more than 3 "dumped pots" before coffee tastes good from this thing. Honestly, when this is new, buy some really cheap coffee and make(then dump) at least 7 coffee pots in the Mukka. Don't worry about the milk part. I know you will waste a few hours(and coffee grinds) doing this but it's a one time thing. The reward makes it worth it. Actually, when I tried the 4th pot, it still tasted horrible, and I was using high end coffee.

4) For the milk, like previous reviewers said, it is a good idea to heat it in the microwave before adding it to the mukka.

5) The device has a specially designed plastic valve that actually creates the froth. You know when the froth process begins when top of the valve pops up. As soon as this happens, I like to open the mukka lid, while it is still on the stove, so as to make sure the mukka doesn't spill over. Plus it is cool looking at the froth being made.

6) Be persistant. Trust me, I was prepared to give this 2 stars the day I bought it but I stuck to it. With a little practice, you will master this thing. I use it at least twice a day. The quality of the coffee produced keeps getting better too.

This makes a decent cappuccino or latte, but there are a couple of factors that have to be in place-- good coffee and zero user error. I have yet to find the perfect brew (just got this a couple of days ago), since everytime I brew a cup there's a weird taste initially, but usually goes away after a few sips.

Do not leave it on the stove unattended. The minute you hear the pop for froth production, open the lid a bit to make sure you don't spill over. If I think I'm going to spill, I take it off the stove for a moment, then put it back on to complete the process. This has prevented spill overs.

Also, I'm a bit bummed that it really only makes ONE cup. The box says it makes two 7.4 oz cups, but I find I would be serving very small cups of cappuccino. Not a big deal, since my husband is not a coffee drinker. But I was hoping I could serve a guest AND myself. Oh well :) I will continue to go out for my lattes from time to time, but this is a pretty good product. If you can get it for $50 bucks or as a gift, that would be best. I wouldn't spend $90 on it.

Nonetheless, I am pleased with it and have fun getting a good drink after only 4 minutes. Practice makes perfect :)


We both are still trembling for the amount of capuccinos we have had so far. It is so simple to operate and in less than 4 minutes is done. No need to go to starbucks again. At least for a while. Also, the secret is to use milk at ambient temperature not cold...

I lucked out and found this nifty little machine at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $41.99. I was a bit leery that maybe there was a good reason for the price reduction, but I soon found out that I was wrong. It seems a bit complicated the first time you use it, but once you get the hang of it it's great! I didn't want to waste coffee so I tasted my first attempt and it was very good even the first time.

I've been wanting a cappuccino machine for a while but didn't want to spend a bunch for something that would take up a lot of space and not be used very often. I'm glad I found this! It's very fun to use, especially when the froth is created, and it's comparable to the cappuccino in Italy in my opinion. I didn't have any problem with leaks or overflows fortunately. My only complaint is that it only makes 2 very small cups, but I suppose cappuccino cups are smaller than normal coffee mugs. It doesn't make a difference to me because I live alone and want it all for myself anyways!!

If you're a coffee lover and don't mind taking a little time to make a good cup of coffee then this is the product for you! Buon Appetito!!

I bought the Bialetti as a christmas present for my brother and it never worked. The water would leak out of the bottom and it never made a good cup of espresso, we returned it after three weeks.

I've been using this device near-daily for about a month now, and I truly love it. It is, however, a very tempermental device. One must pay close attention to the amount and grind of coffee, the level of water and milk, the stove temperature, and the tightness at which the device is screwed together. If one does, however, you are rewarded with a very satisfying cappuccino.

I have a few complaints about the device, however. First, I wish it made a little bit more cappucino. It produces somewhere between twelve and fourteen ounces -- a decent amount for one, but it looks a bit skimpy when you're dividing it into two cups. Second, it is a bit tricky to set up and clean. There's quite a few parts that aren't entirely easy to reach, and the spring-loaded filter basket is hard to fill neatly. If you're expecting the simplicity of a Moka Express, you'll be let down. This is a substantially trickier device. The wonderful coffee produced by this machine definitely outweighs the negatives in my mind, however. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Mukka Express to anyone looking to make a satisfying cappuccino at home for under $100.

I've owned expensive espresso machines that took some time to learn and
required you to put in the time to maintain them properly. I bought this
product with the thought that it would be a quick and easy way to produce
a decent cup of coffee. Boy, was I wrong.
After trying three times to make coffee on a gas range, it failed all three
times and this is after I had watched the video twice and read the manual,
step by step, each time. After the second time, the pop-up valve refused
to be removed. Nothing would budge it, hence it could not be cleaned.
Don't waste your money. Mine is going into the garbage....

I'm a latte lover but I didn't want another gadget taking up counter space. I thought this would be a good way to get lattes at home. After several attempts, I have been successful. The instructions say to throw out the first 3 batches and that the final product gets better over time. Why is this? I drank the first three batches and they were bad! Shoulda believed 'em.
Don't overfill or you'll have latte all over the stove. Don't forget to put the frother pressure valve in place or you'll have a fountain of coffee coming out the top of it. Don't set the burner too hot or the pressure release valve will spew steam. Don't set the burner too cool or you may never get your latte. If you like foam with your lattes, this is NOT the product for you. I get very little foam that disappears before I've poured a cup. I haven't tried making cappuccino yet. Hopefully more foam is made on that setting. There is not much room for error with this product. Bottom line, it's an adventure, but I get my lattes at home...and they're good!

The first month I had this this product it worked perfectly about 50% of the time. The other times it either wouldn't froth or leaked out the sides. However, once I discovered what level to have the gas flame and how much espresso to put in, it works every time! It is important to put enough espresso to cover the whole filter. I wanted this machine to make mochas because it gets very expensive to buy one of these a day. I put good quality chocolate milk in the top and it froths great. It doesn't seem to matter if it is skim or whole. Keep it on the heat for one minute after it froths to make the drink hot enough. I am also very careful to clean the valve right away to prevent the milk residue from clogging it. From the reviews I've read, it seems that some people screw the top part on too tight in an attempt to prevent leaking and that is why they can't get it apart. It also will not unscrew if the valve is still pressurized. This needs to come off first. Another customer said it rusted. Just don't put it back together after washing it because then it can't completely dry. I am very pleased with this "mocha" maker!

I love this little coffee pot. It makes two perfect, frothy lattes in about 6 minutes, with little mess. The Bialetti Mukka Express is attractive and well-made. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys coffee drinks.

We've just returned from Italy, and purchased this product over there at the advise of the sales girl who had one herself. Yes, it takes a couple of tries to get it right, but the end result is fantastic for a small and relatively inexpensive cappuuccino maker. Yes, i said inexpensive, compared to larger and more complicated machines. The amount of cappuccino that is makes is the SAME as what you get in every caffe shop in Italy for two cups (just because we're Americans doesn't mean we have to supersize everything!). Clean it right after each use, don't let it sit or the milk will clog up the pressure valves, and leave it apart to dry before putting it back together. We recommend this product for it's quality and ease of use. Every cup we have takes us back to that little cafe (Al Mariner) in Venice where we'd stop and have a cappuccino every morning of our trip!

For too long I fiddled with my electric espresso machine and its milk steamer. You know the drill: brewing the espresso, steaming and frothing the milk, and trying to time it so that both the coffee and the milk would be ready at the same time. Results were uneven; I would be rewarded with a really good cappuccino maybe 40% of the time. With Bialetti's new stove-top machine, I can count on a perfect cappuccino EVERY time. It is such a pleasure to get the result which is promised. I should mention that the machine makes approximately 14 oz. of cappuccino, enough to make two servings. Personally, I use one of those mugs that looks more like a soup bowl and drink every ounce myself. So far, it seems to me that 2% milk makes the best product, by the way.
Do have a look at the video before you decide to buy. Using the Mukka Express is not at all difficult, but you MUST read and follow the directions exactly. I was a bit skeptical when I read that the pot becomes "seasoned," making better cappuccino as time goes by . . . but it does! My only regret is that I waited months before buying. Is it worth the price? Definitely.

I adore this little coffee pot. You may think it is too expensive - but it really does make coffee shop quality drinks, so you pay for it in pretty short order. Don't be discouraged by the first few cups -- they have a funny "new pot" taste. Makes a great noise too! Did I mention I love this thing? Not hard to clean either. My only complaint? I wish it made more than two cups at a time because now my husband and daughter are Mukka-maniacs too.

Had seen the Mukka Express advertised in a cooking magazine and became intrigued. Could it actually do what it was advertised to do? Read all the reviews on Amazon and decided to take the plunge after finding the Mukka 1/2 price at Bed, Bath and Beyond's website.

There is a bit of a learning curve to operating the Mukka express, but after dumping the first 5 cups of brew as suggested by other reviewers, a few trail and errors with my stove top temp, and trying it out w/cold milk verses warm, I have to say, I love this thing! Have used skim and semi-skimmed milk and haven't noticed a difference either way, get really good foam every time, and it's hot! (I do warm the milk up a bit) If you're a mocha fan, trying a squirt of chocolate syrup in the bottom of your cup and then pour the brew in. It's divine!!!

I gave this as a gift to my sister and she thouroghly loved it...It makes rich foamy cappuccino just like in authentic Italian cafes. The only defect is that the milk doesn't heat up enough for our liking, so we pre-heat it in the microwave first. Great gadget overall!

I'm no cappucino fan, but my wife is...and Mukka Express does the job.
Takes a couple of uses to get the desired cappucino/or espresso taste and frothiness.

Excellent product, only downside is, capacity. I figure it may sacrifice quality if they made the product of larger capacity

If I can do it, so can you!
I hesitated to purchase the Mukka after reading some of the negatives and looking hard at the price. But there were some very positive reviews so I went for it. I am not sorry. I followed the directions in the package EXACTLY and I heeded some of the great tips offered by those who have mastered the Mukka. I have made at least a dozen tall latte's (not counting the fist three throw-aways) and they are perfect. I have never had a leak or boil-over. Keep the flame in check, make sure the valve button is in the right position (down for cappucino or up for latte). I do pre-heat my 3/4 cup of (skim) milk for 40 seconds in the micro and I also let the Mukka stay on the flame for about 1 minute past the "surge". I'm a sipper and it takes awhile for me to finish a tall cup, so I want to make sure my latte is REALLY hot when I pour it. I'm telling you, this is a great little pot and it performs wonderfully if you take the time to break it in and get the technique down. I figure it will pay for itself in a few weeks and takes less time to make and clean up than stopping for takeout.

I got this even though some of the comments mentioned problems and leaking because I really wanted a no-fuss, stovetop cappuccino maker. And don't we all think it'll work for US? I've tried to make coffee/cappuccino using it 7 times and it's been a disaster. The leaking has nothing to do with the two halves being put together improperly, or cleaning the coffee grounds off the edges of the filter, or anything else obvious. It has to do with the aerator valve. If it's not put in place just exactly correctly, coffee does not bubble up into the pot at all, so the water has no where to go but onto your stove. Honestly, I've put the aerator on and off dozens of times - sometimes the pot worked, sometimes it did not. The difference between the two is impenetrable. Be warned, while it may work for some, it's extremely fussy and not at all worth the money.

I never wrote a review before, but I just need to do this. I got this for Christmas and was very excited. What a great idea! I made the first pots and threw them out as directed, then started using it. The first 2 times were OK, and then every time that I used it, it leaked all over the stove. I tried everything: made sure no coffee on the rim, tried oiling the gasket as one person suggested, screwed it very carefully together,used a very low flame. No dice. I finally gave up and returned it. In its place, I bought a great gizmo called the Nespresso Aerocino: you put in the milk, press and button and in 50 seconds have heated milk and foam. (p.s.: when I spoke to folks at Williams Sonoma about the Mokka Express, they said that when the company came in to do a demo, the pot exploded.)

Its a bit of a tempermental machine, but once you get all the idiosyncracies down, it works very well. Be sure not to grind the coffee too fine.

I really do love this product! It is easy to use (as long as you follow the basic set of instructions), quick and produces a great hot beverage. I don't have time in the morning to stand in front of an expresso machine and wait or use 3 different special cups before I get my coffee. The Mukka lets you put everything together and before I am finished with breakfast it is ready. A must have for any coffee (or tea) person. Oh, and the instructions are right, it does get better every time you use it.

i received this for my birthday and i must say, i haven't had a problem with it. it's a lot of fun... especially hearing the pressure steam froth the milk! it did leak on me once, the first time i used it, but i did not tighten the two halves together as best i could. when i did tighten the two halves, i had no problems and it made great coffee. i'm excited to see how it seasons up and the better coffee it is supposed to make the more i use it.

I really wanted to like this product. I love my cappucino and used to own an express maker like this that worked well. The Mukka Express never worked for me. Coffee squirts out the sides (I cleaned the lip and gasket with a Qtip to make sure there was a good seal!) and no matter how I clean it or dry it, the material oxidizes like a 63 Ford in a Cleveland winter. I just threw mine in the trash.

ok, let's be honest, if your looking to spend less than $400 this is probably your best bet. Anything under that price is going to have it's idiosyncrasies (read "problems") But for the money this is a great buy, and if you take some time with it in the beginning you'll be happier in the end. And in the time that I have had mine here's what I learned.

First off - read the instructions!
- Throw away the first 3 - 5 cups (read "don't drink") think of this as seasoning your Mukka
- Use a coarse espresso grind, too fine and the water doesn't make it through and then it's leaking all over your stove.
- Don't pack-down (tamp) the grounds in the filter basket, see problem above.
- Don't fill the filter basket with grounds while it is sitting in the water reservoir, instead hold it in your hand over the sink to prevent getting grounds all over the seals. See problem above.
- Clean all the grounds off the seals. See problem above.
- Wet the seals with water before brewing. See problem above.
- Turn the heat down, adjust your gas so that the flame doesn't go past the edge of the mukka, this will improve your foam although I don't know the physics of it, it just seems to work better if the heat isn't too high.
- Use "cold" Whole milk, I have tried 2%, half and half, 1/2 2% and 1/2 half and half, and had the best foam with whole milk, but it isn't ever going to be "micro-foam" and it's not going to come out white, cause the coffee does the steaming.
- Let the Mukka steam the milk and then wait a minute leaving it on the heat till it steams again, I think that second boil is important for taste,and it makes the coffee good and hot.
- Pour your cappucino or latte into a cup and IMMEDIATELY clean the Mukka, or at least soak it with water so the milk doesn't dry up. Don't worry your coffee will still be hot. See suggestion above.
- on the steamer there is a black button you push for cappucino and below that a gray collar you can lift up. PULL UP ON THE GRAY COLLAR and rotate the steaming mechanism counter clockwise to remove the steamer. If you don't pull up on the gray collar good luck on getting the steaming mechanism off.

Cappucino - button down
Latte - Button up
Espresso - no Milk, button up
Cafe Americano - add water instead of milk, to line, button up

So with about a month of time in on my Mukka I have started to get good latte's from it, hopefully these suggestions shorten that time for you. And I have stopped going to "fourbucks" every morning so it is also saving me money.

I have attempted to use the thing many times and have only successfully made any sort of drink just a few times, and usually when no one is looking so there is no proof. If done worng it can make a terrible mess and I am not quite sure what it is I am doing wrong. If you want to use the item to make more than 2 drinks you need to wait for it to cool down before you take it apart and reload. I shall try, try again.

practice makes perfect. At first it was hard to get to the right point of being what I would call good at using the Mukka. But once I achieved total knowledge and awareness of the Mukka it was great. Good Coffee, Good times.

Follow directions. Three to four wasters at the beginning. Makes great caps.

This is very easy to use and to clean and I love this cappuccino more than starbucks. I also love this looks. It is so cute.

I bought this to satisfy my craving for cappuccino. However, I am too lazy to use a Moka Pot and whip milk independently. The Mukka Express does both. It takes experimentation with differing roasts and types of coffee to get the cup you're looking for. But that's part of the fun. I also had to experiment with adjusting the grind, as too fine would hinder all of the water passing up to the top chamber. Also, it really only makes enough for one serving. So it only satisfies those looking to make a cup for themselves (and that's my purpose for it anyway). Clean up is a mixed bag. The only real difficulty I have is scubbing the dried milk from the top chamber, even after immediately soaking after a brew.

The bottom line is that it works great for its intended purpose, so I am satisfied, but would have liked a lower price. I don't know of any similar product. So, if you can't afford an expensive espresso machine or don't care to pay for one, this is a great way to go! As always, make sure your beans are freshly roasted (home roasters, you know what I'm talking about), and ground right before brewing. FYI: this maker has never departed any foul taste according to my buds. Just good strong brew in the tradition of Moka pots.

Not a coffee drinker but gave this to my wife and she loves it. We too had the leaking problem, but realized that when we were making a latte that you need to put the aerator thingy on last. Then pull up on it to make sure it stays up. I guess it creates some sort of suction. A couple of times we forgot to pull up and it leaked out all over the stove. Anyway, according to my wife its "heavenly".

We LOVE this machine. I haven't been to Starbucks since I received it as a gift. It paid for itself in weeks! It does take a little practice- make sure you don't leave grounds on the rim and we found that heating the milk for one minute in the microwave gives us a hotter end product. I too wish it had a four cup capacity but you can brew a second batch immediately after the first. We have enjoyed experimenting with custom blends of coffees. I am buying this for all my Starbuck addict family for Christmas. This makes a cappuccino that rivals any coffee house!

We LOVE this machine. I haven't been to Starbucks since I received it as a gift. It paid for itself in weeks! It does take a little practice- make sure you don't leave grounds on the rim and we found that heating the milk for one minute in the microwave gives us a hotter end product. I too wish it had a four cup capacity but you can brew a second batch immediately after the first. We have enjoyed experimenting with custom blends of coffees. I am buying this for all my Starbuck addict family for Christmas. This makes a cappuccino that rivals any coffee house!

Not a coffee drinker but gave this to my wife and she loves it. We too had the leaking problem, but realized that when we were making a latte that you need to put the aerator thingy on last. Then pull up on it to make sure it stays up. I guess it creates some sort of suction. A couple of times we forgot to pull up and it leaked out all over the stove. Anyway, according to my wife its "heavenly".

I gave this as a gift to my sister and she thouroghly loved it...It makes rich foamy cappuccino just like in authentic Italian cafes. The only defect is that the milk doesn't heat up enough for our liking, so we pre-heat it in the microwave first. Great gadget overall!

I'm no cappucino fan, but my wife is...and Mukka Express does the job.
Takes a couple of uses to get the desired cappucino/or espresso taste and frothiness.

Excellent product, only downside is, capacity. I figure it may sacrifice quality if they made the product of larger capacity

If I can do it, so can you!
I hesitated to purchase the Mukka after reading some of the negatives and looking hard at the price. But there were some very positive reviews so I went for it. I am not sorry. I followed the directions in the package EXACTLY and I heeded some of the great tips offered by those who have mastered the Mukka. I have made at least a dozen tall latte's (not counting the fist three throw-aways) and they are perfect. I have never had a leak or boil-over. Keep the flame in check, make sure the valve button is in the right position (down for cappucino or up for latte). I do pre-heat my 3/4 cup of (skim) milk for 40 seconds in the micro and I also let the Mukka stay on the flame for about 1 minute past the "surge". I'm a sipper and it takes awhile for me to finish a tall cup, so I want to make sure my latte is REALLY hot when I pour it. I'm telling you, this is a great little pot and it performs wonderfully if you take the time to break it in and get the technique down. I figure it will pay for itself in a few weeks and takes less time to make and clean up than stopping for takeout.

I got this even though some of the comments mentioned problems and leaking because I really wanted a no-fuss, stovetop cappuccino maker. And don't we all think it'll work for US? I've tried to make coffee/cappuccino using it 7 times and it's been a disaster. The leaking has nothing to do with the two halves being put together improperly, or cleaning the coffee grounds off the edges of the filter, or anything else obvious. It has to do with the aerator valve. If it's not put in place just exactly correctly, coffee does not bubble up into the pot at all, so the water has no where to go but onto your stove. Honestly, I've put the aerator on and off dozens of times - sometimes the pot worked, sometimes it did not. The difference between the two is impenetrable. Be warned, while it may work for some, it's extremely fussy and not at all worth the money.

I never wrote a review before, but I just need to do this. I got this for Christmas and was very excited. What a great idea! I made the first pots and threw them out as directed, then started using it. The first 2 times were OK, and then every time that I used it, it leaked all over the stove. I tried everything: made sure no coffee on the rim, tried oiling the gasket as one person suggested, screwed it very carefully together,used a very low flame. No dice. I finally gave up and returned it. In its place, I bought a great gizmo called the Nespresso Aerocino: you put in the milk, press and button and in 50 seconds have heated milk and foam. (p.s.: when I spoke to folks at Williams Sonoma about the Mokka Express, they said that when the company came in to do a demo, the pot exploded.)

Its a bit of a tempermental machine, but once you get all the idiosyncracies down, it works very well. Be sure not to grind the coffee too fine.

I really do love this product! It is easy to use (as long as you follow the basic set of instructions), quick and produces a great hot beverage. I don't have time in the morning to stand in front of an expresso machine and wait or use 3 different special cups before I get my coffee. The Mukka lets you put everything together and before I am finished with breakfast it is ready. A must have for any coffee (or tea) person. Oh, and the instructions are right, it does get better every time you use it.

i received this for my birthday and i must say, i haven't had a problem with it. it's a lot of fun... especially hearing the pressure steam froth the milk! it did leak on me once, the first time i used it, but i did not tighten the two halves together as best i could. when i did tighten the two halves, i had no problems and it made great coffee. i'm excited to see how it seasons up and the better coffee it is supposed to make the more i use it.

I really wanted to like this product. I love my cappucino and used to own an express maker like this that worked well. The Mukka Express never worked for me. Coffee squirts out the sides (I cleaned the lip and gasket with a Qtip to make sure there was a good seal!) and no matter how I clean it or dry it, the material oxidizes like a 63 Ford in a Cleveland winter. I just threw mine in the trash.

ok, let's be honest, if your looking to spend less than $400 this is probably your best bet. Anything under that price is going to have it's idiosyncrasies (read "problems") But for the money this is a great buy, and if you take some time with it in the beginning you'll be happier in the end. And in the time that I have had mine here's what I learned.

First off - read the instructions!
- Throw away the first 3 - 5 cups (read "don't drink") think of this as seasoning your Mukka
- Use a coarse espresso grind, too fine and the water doesn't make it through and then it's leaking all over your stove.
- Don't pack-down (tamp) the grounds in the filter basket, see problem above.
- Don't fill the filter basket with grounds while it is sitting in the water reservoir, instead hold it in your hand over the sink to prevent getting grounds all over the seals. See problem above.
- Clean all the grounds off the seals. See problem above.
- Wet the seals with water before brewing. See problem above.
- Turn the heat down, adjust your gas so that the flame doesn't go past the edge of the mukka, this will improve your foam although I don't know the physics of it, it just seems to work better if the heat isn't too high.
- Use "cold" Whole milk, I have tried 2%, half and half, 1/2 2% and 1/2 half and half, and had the best foam with whole milk, but it isn't ever going to be "micro-foam" and it's not going to come out white, cause the coffee does the steaming.
- Let the Mukka steam the milk and then wait a minute leaving it on the heat till it steams again, I think that second boil is important for taste,and it makes the coffee good and hot.
- Pour your cappucino or latte into a cup and IMMEDIATELY clean the Mukka, or at least soak it with water so the milk doesn't dry up. Don't worry your coffee will still be hot. See suggestion above.
- on the steamer there is a black button you push for cappucino and below that a gray collar you can lift up. PULL UP ON THE GRAY COLLAR and rotate the steaming mechanism counter clockwise to remove the steamer. If you don't pull up on the gray collar good luck on getting the steaming mechanism off.

Cappucino - button down
Latte - Button up
Espresso - no Milk, button up
Cafe Americano - add water instead of milk, to line, button up

So with about a month of time in on my Mukka I have started to get good latte's from it, hopefully these suggestions shorten that time for you. And I have stopped going to "fourbucks" every morning so it is also saving me money.

I have attempted to use the thing many times and have only successfully made any sort of drink just a few times, and usually when no one is looking so there is no proof. If done worng it can make a terrible mess and I am not quite sure what it is I am doing wrong. If you want to use the item to make more than 2 drinks you need to wait for it to cool down before you take it apart and reload. I shall try, try again.

practice makes perfect. At first it was hard to get to the right point of being what I would call good at using the Mukka. But once I achieved total knowledge and awareness of the Mukka it was great. Good Coffee, Good times.

Follow directions. Three to four wasters at the beginning. Makes great caps.

This is very easy to use and to clean and I love this cappuccino more than starbucks. I also love this looks. It is so cute.

I bought this to satisfy my craving for cappuccino. However, I am too lazy to use a Moka Pot and whip milk independently. The Mukka Express does both. It takes experimentation with differing roasts and types of coffee to get the cup you're looking for. But that's part of the fun. I also had to experiment with adjusting the grind, as too fine would hinder all of the water passing up to the top chamber. Also, it really only makes enough for one serving. So it only satisfies those looking to make a cup for themselves (and that's my purpose for it anyway). Clean up is a mixed bag. The only real difficulty I have is scubbing the dried milk from the top chamber, even after immediately soaking after a brew.

The bottom line is that it works great for its intended purpose, so I am satisfied, but would have liked a lower price. I don't know of any similar product. So, if you can't afford an expensive espresso machine or don't care to pay for one, this is a great way to go! As always, make sure your beans are freshly roasted (home roasters, you know what I'm talking about), and ground right before brewing. FYI: this maker has never departed any foul taste according to my buds. Just good strong brew in the tradition of Moka pots.

I love this little coffee pot. It makes two perfect, frothy lattes in about 6 minutes, with little mess. The Bialetti Mukka Express is attractive and well-made. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys coffee drinks.

We've just returned from Italy, and purchased this product over there at the advise of the sales girl who had one herself. Yes, it takes a couple of tries to get it right, but the end result is fantastic for a small and relatively inexpensive cappuuccino maker. Yes, i said inexpensive, compared to larger and more complicated machines. The amount of cappuccino that is makes is the SAME as what you get in every caffe shop in Italy for two cups (just because we're Americans doesn't mean we have to supersize everything!). Clean it right after each use, don't let it sit or the milk will clog up the pressure valves, and leave it apart to dry before putting it back together. We recommend this product for it's quality and ease of use. Every cup we have takes us back to that little cafe (Al Mariner) in Venice where we'd stop and have a cappuccino every morning of our trip!

For too long I fiddled with my electric espresso machine and its milk steamer. You know the drill: brewing the espresso, steaming and frothing the milk, and trying to time it so that both the coffee and the milk would be ready at the same time. Results were uneven; I would be rewarded with a really good cappuccino maybe 40% of the time. With Bialetti's new stove-top machine, I can count on a perfect cappuccino EVERY time. It is such a pleasure to get the result which is promised. I should mention that the machine makes approximately 14 oz. of cappuccino, enough to make two servings. Personally, I use one of those mugs that looks more like a soup bowl and drink every ounce myself. So far, it seems to me that 2% milk makes the best product, by the way.
Do have a look at the video before you decide to buy. Using the Mukka Express is not at all difficult, but you MUST read and follow the directions exactly. I was a bit skeptical when I read that the pot becomes "seasoned," making better cappuccino as time goes by . . . but it does! My only regret is that I waited months before buying. Is it worth the price? Definitely.

I lucked out and found this nifty little machine at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $41.99. I was a bit leery that maybe there was a good reason for the price reduction, but I soon found out that I was wrong. It seems a bit complicated the first time you use it, but once you get the hang of it it's great! I didn't want to waste coffee so I tasted my first attempt and it was very good even the first time.

I've been wanting a cappuccino machine for a while but didn't want to spend a bunch for something that would take up a lot of space and not be used very often. I'm glad I found this! It's very fun to use, especially when the froth is created, and it's comparable to the cappuccino in Italy in my opinion. I didn't have any problem with leaks or overflows fortunately. My only complaint is that it only makes 2 very small cups, but I suppose cappuccino cups are smaller than normal coffee mugs. It doesn't make a difference to me because I live alone and want it all for myself anyways!!

If you're a coffee lover and don't mind taking a little time to make a good cup of coffee then this is the product for you! Buon Appetito!!